BEN Mee said he was in no doubt that a penalty in Burnley’s favour was the right decision - the only surprise for the defender was that it was given.

Lewis Dunk was penalised for pulling Michael Keane’s shirt in the box soon after Bobby Zamora had given Brighton a first minute lead, and Andre Gray equalised from the spot.

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Seagulls boss Chris Hughton felt it was a harsh decision against his side.

But Mee was close to the incident, and felt the penalty award was fully justified.

“I wasn’t far away. I heard the rip on his shirt when it happened, so I think that gave it away,” said the defender.

“I thought it was a penalty and it was nice to see it given for once because a lot of the time you don’t get those sort of decisions.”

Asked if referees usually explain their decisions, Mee added: “Some do, some don’t. Some say they’ve seen it but then you get a forearm smash in the face and they don’t see that.

“It was good that he gave it.”

But Hughton did not concur, deeming the goalmouth incident at a corner to be 50-50.

“Having seen it there’s no doubt Lewis has got some of his shirt but I think also the lads had as well and you see that every game,” said the Brighton boss.

“In our last home game Lewis was pulled in the box at a corner.

“It just feels very harsh that he chose to give it at that time when it’s something you see so often.”

However, both Hughton and Mee felt a draw was a fair reflection of the game.

“I think you have got to give the team credit because taking the lead and getting the lift from that and then conceding the penalty, you might see a team dip for a while but we were always in the game,” said Hughton.

“They probably got more balls into the box and were a little bit more threatening in the final third but we built through the thirds very well.

“I think on the balance of play it was a fair result, particularly with us being the away team and Burnley being a very good team.

“You’ve got two teams here that are both motivated and want to try and win and certainly don’t want to lose.”

Mee, who suffered dental damage in the goalless draw at Wolves a fortnight ago, was disappointed with the goal conceded with the Seagulls taking the lead inside the opening 60 seconds of the encounter.

“It was a bit of a ricochet everywhere I think,” he said.

“We wanted to start the game well and we were a bit disappointed with that. But we reacted well, got the penalty and created a few more chances straight away after that.

“To be fair they came here and gave it a go.

“We had a few chances but I think overall it’s quite a fair result on the overall play.”